RESIDENTS living near Bourne Wood in Farnham will be able to find out more about the proposals to turn the forest into a more permanent filming site next week.

RESIDENTS living near Bourne Wood in Farnham will be able to find out more about the proposals to turn the forest into a more permanent filming site next week.

The Forestry Commission is holding a drop-in session on Tuesday (November 20) for members of the public to learn more about proposals for filming to be allowed for up to eight months in a year.

Iain Skinner, planning and development surveyor for the commission, said: “The Forestry Commission works hard to balance the conservation of wildlife, the interests of commercial partners, and the recreational value of its woodlands.

"In recent years, Bourne Wood has become nationally significant to the film industry in the UK, so it is important to find a way of continuing this use whilst taking account of the other interests.”

A planning application to officially change Bourne Wood from forestry to forestry with filming activity is set to be submitted in early 2013.

Concerns have been raised by residents about the intensity of filming at the site, which they believe may have a detrimental effect on Bourne Wood’s neighbours and the environment.

But the Forestry Commission maintains this is not the aim and the planning application’s purpose is to ensure filmmakers keep coming back to Surrey and to regularise the process.

In the past, movie producers have had to apply for planning permission to film on site, as was the case when Thor: The Dark World was filmed on site in September.

The commission said this had the potential to result in delays to filming and could deter filmmakers from shooting their blockbusters in the UK. Mr Skinner added that filming brought money into the area and ensured vital funding to maintain the commission’s sites.

“Filming in Bourne Wood is important to the local economy as the film crews spend money with local B&B, pubs, petrol stations, contractors, farmers and landowners,” he said.

“In fact, Surrey County Council estimates that filming is worth £79m to the county’s economy.

“Filming makes a significant contribution towards the cost of managing the Public Forest Estate and many projects have been funded by filming, including the all-ability cycle trail at Alice Holt Forest Centre.”

The proposal may still draw objections from residents, who are worried about the amount of filming at Bourne Wood. When consulted, Farnham Town Council requested the limit of filming activity allowed on the site be continued with no increase.

The council’s planning department has told the Forestry Commission it will need to include an Environmental Impact Statement in the planning application.

Consultees, including Frensham Parish Council and Farnham Town Council, have requested this statement must also include a full assessment of the impact of filming on protected species, households and rights of way.

Tuesday’s drop-in event is at St-Thomas-on-the-Bourne Church in the Cobbett Room between 3.30pm and 9pm.

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She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.